African Countries Where Yoruba People Live and Speak Their Language

The Yoruba people, one of the largest and most influential ethnic groups in Africa, originate from Nigeria. Known for their rich culture, language, and traditions, the Yoruba have extended their influence far beyond Nigeria’s borders. 

Their diaspora across West Africa and beyond has established thriving communities where they continue to preserve their language and cultural heritage. In this article, we explore six African countries where Yoruba people have made significant settlements and continue to speak their language.

Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, the Yoruba influence is most evident among the Oku people, also known as Aku Marabout or Aku Mohammedans. This ethnic group traces its roots to Yoruba individuals freed from slavery in the 19th century. 

Many of these liberated Yoruba people, especially Islamic scholars called marabouts, settled in Sierra Leone and formed a distinct community. While they have integrated into Sierra Leonean society, the Oku people have retained many Yoruba cultural practices, religious beliefs, and linguistic elements.

The Gambia

The Gambia is another West African nation with a notable Yoruba community, known locally as the Akus. Similar to Sierra Leone, many Akus are descendants of freed Yoruba slaves. Despite the blending of cultures, the Akus have preserved a strong connection to their Yoruba roots, especially in language and traditions. 

The Aku language spoken in Gambia shows clear Yoruba influences. For example, the term “ashobie” used by the Akus to describe group attire for special occasions mirrors the Yoruba “aso ebi,” underscoring the cultural continuity between the two groups.

Benin

Benin, a neighboring country to Nigeria, hosts a substantial Yoruba population, particularly in the historic kingdom of Ketu. Ketu, one of the oldest Yoruba settlements, has deep historical ties to Yoruba culture. The kingdom was founded by Sopasan, a descendant of Oduduwa, the legendary progenitor of the Yoruba people.

The Ketu monarchy has maintained cultural and historical connections with Ile-Ife, the spiritual heart of the Yoruba world. In Benin, Yoruba traditions, language, and customs have been preserved over generations, with the Alaketu (king) playing a significant role in maintaining these cultural links.

Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast, the Yoruba community primarily consists of the Ejigbo people from Osun State in Nigeria. Their migration to Ivory Coast began after passing through other West African nations like Benin, Togo, and Ghana, eventually establishing themselves in Ivory Coast by 1902. 

Initially attracted by the region’s trade opportunities, the Yoruba settlers engaged in farming and commerce, establishing a thriving community that continues to flourish today. The Ejigbo people have maintained their language and cultural practices, contributing to the multicultural fabric of the Ivory Coast.

Togo

Togo is home to a Yoruba-speaking community of around 90,000 people, particularly in the city of Atakpame. This group descends from Yoruba migrants, notably from Ija-Oku, a former region of Dahomey.

One of the distinctive features of the Yoruba spoken in Togo is the preservation of the Ife dialect, which has retained its tonal complexities, distinguishing it from the modern Yoruba spoken in Nigeria. The cultural continuity in language and tradition among Togo’s Yoruba population reflects the strong ties to their ancestral roots.

Ghana

Ghana, another West African nation, hosts a vibrant Yoruba community, albeit a minority compared to other ethnic groups. The Yoruba have established a strong cultural presence in Ghana, where their ruling dynasty has existed for over 200 years. 

The Yoruba monarch in Ghana, known as Chief Braimah, continues to lead the community, which holds onto its Yoruba heritage through traditional governance structures, language, and customs. The Yoruba palace in Ghana, located in the bustling Makola International Market in Accra, serves as a symbol of the community’s long-standing influence in the country.